The boys from Southgate RFC: Micky bottom left, Johnny bottom right, Pitsi, bottom row 2nd left.
Team R2R (Rugby to Riding) is the natural development of a major fund raising initiative in 2008 for Leukaemia Research in memory of 2 good rugby playing friends. Sponsored by Powerday, R2R gives ex and soon-to-be ex rugby players a new sport to take part in while raising money for charity.
Bitten by the cycling bug after his 1100 miles around the UK for the Thinc Ride for Life, Mark (Pitsi) Pittaccio completed a stage of the Tour de France, finishing at the top of Alpe d'huez and started riding the more challenging climbs of North Italy including the Stelvio pass......
Meanwhile, two other rugby playing mates who are at that, ahem, stage of life when rugby is doing more harm than good, finally got bored with the relentless stories of riding up hills and getting fitter and decided to buy road bikes!
First Darren Barsby (now almost evangelical in his enthusiasm) bought a bike. Then to fill time during a particularly long Sunday ride out, the two considered what fun it would be to start a cycle team!
Bored with the relentless stories in stereo from Pitsi and now also Darren, and with only a very slightly twisted arm, Simon Little decided to buy his first bike - just 2 weeks before attempting to cycle around the Bresciano mountains! The logo and kit was designed and so Powerday R2R was formed.
The kit soon arrived with major sponsorship space going to Powerday but with the crests of both Southgate and Datchworth rugby clubs displayed proudly on the jerseys.
Very soon afterwards, and presumably because it's such a great idea, more friends were recruited to the ranks. Now a big team, we have big plans. With the help of our sponsors and our unlimited enthusiam we will get there.
The Thinc Ride for Life
Datchworth and Southgate rugby clubs have had a close association for many years with Mark (Pitsi) Pittaccio, DRFC's Head Coach, previously playing for Southgate. However, the boots were swapped for two wheels in an effort to raise funds for Leukaemia Research in memory of two team mates; Johnny Allen who died of the disease at age 26 and Micky Bundle, the Southgate stalwart, who lost his battle at age 40.
In his capacity as a Group Investment Sales Director Pitsi delivered presentations around the country and late one night, and after a drink too many, he agreed to cycle between the conference venues, unaware that the journey through Edinburgh, Belfast, Bolton, Harrogate, Solihull, Cardiff, Wincanton, London and Cambridge would total 1136 miles!
He was joined by friends, colleagues and sponsors for some of the legs. In total he burned up 66015 calories, most of which were replaced by jelly babies! and climbed 25,911 metres before presenting a cheque for £50,000 to Leukaemia Research.
Click to see the Ride For Life film.
